You Might Be an Artist If...

Relatable and honest, this compilation of one-page webcomics deals with the ironies, insecurities, and successes of the modern artist and art world. In her debut collection, Purje’s cartoon self, charming in her pluckiness, tells tales of hope, angst, disappointment, or empowerment in a way that lingers. The art is simple but whimsical, cartoony in a more European style but endlessly endearing, Purje occasionally throws in highly detailed, realistic figures, just to prove her chops to doubters. Purje doesn’t have anything particularly groundbreaking to say, but each page tackles something familiar to the art-school crowd and captures its essence in a punchy fashion. There are no wasted pages, and this has the potential to become the go-to book of solace for struggling young artists out there. (Jan.)